Majority of cancer patients 'still not prescribed exercise'

Four out of five cancer patients are still not being prescribed exercise as part of their package of care, new research suggests.

Studies show that leading an active lifestyle, both during and after anti-cancer treatment, can reduce side-effects and prevent recurrence and death from some types of cancer.

A YouGov poll of 1,098 cancer patients, aged 18 to 88, found that 37 per cent do no exercise at all.

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Among those who had completed their treatment, 82 per cent had not been told about the importance of physical activity by their GP.

The survey, which was commissioned by Macmillan Cancer Support, also revealed that 77 per cent of patients said their oncologist had not spoken to them about exercise, with 79 per cent saying the same about clinical nurse specialists.

Macmillan chief executive Ciaran Devane said: 'This new research shows that the message is still not being passed on to cancer patients about just how important it is for them to keep active.

'Knowing what you can do to help yourself and your recovery is both encouraging and helpful.'

As well as being beneficial for cancer patients, a large body of evidence suggests that physical activity can reduce people's chances of developing cancer in the first place.

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